with such successe as may be deliverance and safety to his people and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoak of Antichristian tyranny to joyn in the same or like Association and Covenant to the glorie of God the enlargement of the Kingdome of Jesus Christ and the peace and tranquility of Christian Kingdomes and Common-wealths Scripture Commands and Encouragements to Covenant makers and Keepers EXOD. 19. 5. If ye will obey my voyce indeed saith the Lord God and keep my Covenant then ye shal be a peculiar treasure unto me above al people NUMB. 30. 21. If a man vow a vow unto the Lord or swear an oath to binde his soul with a bond he shal not break his word he shal do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth DEUT. 23. 21. When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God thou shalt not slack to pay it For the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee and it would be sin in thee 2 CHRON 15. 12 13 14 15. And they entred into a Covenant to seek the Lord God of their Fathers with all their heart and with all their soul And that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death whether great or small whether man or woman And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voyce and with shouting and with trumpets and with Cornets And all Judah rejoyced at the oath for they had sworn with all their heart and sought the Lord with their whole desire and he was found of them and the Lord gave them rest round about them 2 CHON 29. 10. Now it is in my heart to make a Covenant with the Lord God of Israel that his feirce wrath may turn away from us 2 CHRON. 34. 31 32. And the King stood in his place and made a Covenat before the Lord to walk after the Lord and to keep his Commandments and his testimonies and his Statutes with all his heart and with al his soul to perform the words of the Covenant which are written in Gods book And he caused al that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the Covenant of God their Father PSAL. 25. 10. All the paths of God are mercy and truth to them which keep their Covenant PSAL. 50. 14. Offer to God praise and thanksgiving and pay thy vowes unto the most high PSAL. 103. 17 18. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him and his righteousness to childrens children to such as keep his or their Covenant ISAIAH 56. 4 5 6 7. Thus saith the Lord unto the Eunuchs and to all that keep my Sabboths and chuse the things that please me and that imbrace and keep my Covenant Even unto them all will I give in mine house and within my wals a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters I wil give an everlasting name that shal not be cut off even unto every one that keepeth the Sabboth from polluting it and that taketh hold of my Covenant to keep and do it Even them wil I bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer and al their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shal be accepted by me JEREM. 50. 4 5. In those dayes and in that time saith the Lord the Children of Israel shal come they and the children of Judah together just as Scotland and England have done going and weeping They shal go and seek the Lord their God And they shal aske the way to Sion with their faces thither-ward saying Come and let us joyn our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall Covenant that shal not be broken nor forgotten Scripture Terrours and Threatnings to Covenant-Breakers and Despisers LEVIT. 26. 25. I will bring a sword upon you which shal avenge the quarrel of my Covenant 2 CHRON. 26. 25. Whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel by entring into and keeping Covenant with God was to be put to death whether great or small whether man or woman NEHEM 9. 29. They entred into a curse and into an oath to walk in the Laws of God Therefore to enter into a Covenant with God and not to keep it or perform it is to be accursed ESAY 24. 5. The earth is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof because they have transgressed the Laws changed the Ordinances and broken the everlasting Covenant PSAL. 78. 37 Their heart was not right with God neither were they stedfast in their Covenant ESAY CHAP. 33. 8. The highwayes lye waste the wayfaring man ceaseth he hath broken the Covenant JEREM. 11. v. 10. 11. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my Covenant which I made with their fathers Therefore thus saith the Lord behold I wil bring evil upon them which they shal not be able to escape and though they shal cry unto me I wil not hearken unto them JEREM. CHAP. 11. v. 10. 11. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of the Covenant JEREM. 34. 18. 19. 20. I wil give the men that have transgressed my Covenant and which have not performed the words of the Covenant which they made before me into the hands of their enemies and into the hands of them that seek their life EZEK. 16. 59. Thus saith the Lord God I wil even deal with thee as thou hast done which hast despised the Oath in breaking the Covenant EZEK. 17. 15. 16. 18. 19. Shal he prosper shal he escape that doth such things Or shal he break the Covenant and be delivered As I live saith the Lord God surely in the place where the King dwelleth that made him King whose Oath he hath despised and whose Covenant he hath broken even with him in the midst of Babylon he shal dye Seeing he despised the Oath by breaking the Covenant where as lo he had given his hand and hath done all these things Therefore thus saith the Lord God as I live surely mine Oath which he hath despised and my Covenant that he hath broken even it wil I recompence upon his own head HOSEA 1. 9. They have spoken words swearing falsly in making a Covenant Thus judgment springeth up like hemlock in the furrows of the field AMOS 1. 9. Thus saith the Lord for 3. transgressions of Tyrus and for 4 I wil not turn away the punishment thereof because they delivered up the whole Captivity to Edom and remembred not the brotherly Covenant MALA 2. 10. Have we not one Father Hath not one God created us Why do we then deal treacherously every man against his brother by prophaning the Covenant of our Fathers MAT. 5. 33. Thou shalt not forswear thy self but shalt perform thine oaths and vows unto the Lord ROM. 1. 31. Covenant-Breakers are reckoned in the number of the worst of Sinners The names of all the
A Caveat for Covenant-Contemners and Covenant-Breakers The Sacred and Solemn League and Covenant mutually made and entred into by the three Kingdomes of England Scotland and Ireland for the Religious advancement of the glorious work of Reformation in the said three Kingdoms in Life Doctrine and Church-Government The Preface or Preamble to the Covenant WEE Noblemen Barons Knights Gentlemen Citizens Burgesses Ministers of the Gospel and Commons of all sorts in the Kingdome of England Scotland and Ireland by the Providence of God living under one King and being of one Reformed Religion having before our eyes the glorie of God and the advancement of the Kingdome of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the honour and happiness of the Kings Majesty and his posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdomes wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots conspiracies attempts and practises of the enemies of God against the true Religion and professors thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdomes ever since the Reformation of Religion and how their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time increased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdome of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church and Kingdome of England and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdome of Scotland are present and publike testimonies We have now at last after other means of supplication Remonstrance Protestations and sufferings for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruin and destruction according to the commendable practise of these Kingdomes in former times and the example of Gods people in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall League and Covenant wherein we all subscribe and each one of us with our hands lifted up to the most high God do swear The Covenant 1. THat we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God endeavor in our severall Places and callings the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in Doctrin Worship Discipline and Government against our common Enemies the Reformation of Religion in the Kingdomes of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches And shall endeavor to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the nearest conjunction and uniformitie in Religion confession of Faith Form of Church Government Directorie for Worship and Catechizing That We and our posterity after us may as brethren live in faith and love and the Lord may delight to dwel in the midst of us 2 That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavor the Extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church Government by Arch-Bishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchie Superstition Heresie Schism Profanness and whatsoever shall be found to be contrarie to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues and that the Lord may be One in the three Kingdomes 3. We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancie in our severall vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatness 4. We shall also withall faithfulness endeavour the discoverie of all such as shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evill Instruments by hindring the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of the Kingdomes from another or making any faction or parties among the people contrary to this League and Covenant that they may be brought to publike tryall and receive condign punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve or the supreame judicatures of both kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdomes denyed in former times to our progenitors is by the good providence of God granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and setled by both Parliaments We shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firme Peace and Union to all posterity and that justice may be done upon the wilfull opposers thereof in manner expressed in the present Articles 6. We shall also according to our places and callings in this common cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdomes assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided or withdrawn from this blessed Union and conjunction whether to make defection to the contrary part or give our selves to a detestable indifferencie or Neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of God the good of the Kingdomes and honour of the King but shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all lets and impediments whatsoever and what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveal and make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall do as in the sight of God 7. And because these Kingdomes are guilty of many sins and provocations against God and his Son Jesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof We professe and declare before God and the world our unfained desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of this Kingdome Especially that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the Gospel that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof and that we have not endeauoured to receive Christ into our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives and each one to go before another in the Example of a reall Reformation That the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavie indignation and establish these Churches and Kingdomes in truth and peace And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God the searcher of all hearts with a true intention to perform the same as we shall answer at that great day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end and to blesse our desires and proceedings
Knights and Burgesses in the House of Commons in Parliament that at first took the Covenant Wil. Lenthal Speaker Benchamp St. John Gilbert Gerard Walter Earl James Cambel Thomas Cheek Robert Nicholas Benjamin Rudyard John Gurdon Robert Harley Francis Knollys Edward Master John White Anthony Stapley Dennis Bond Laurence Whitaker Michael Noble Peregrine Hoby William Cawley John Moyl John Pyne George Searl Hen. Vane Senior Nevil Pool John Yong. Henry Herbert Thomas Sandis William Jesson Philip Lord Herbert Tho. Barrington Martin Lumley John Trevor Fran. Godolphin Thomas Arundel Edward Stephens Gilbert Pickering John Greve Oliver Cromwel Henry Vane Junior William Cage Richard Erisey Philip Lord Lisle Wil. Heveningham Isaac Pennington Rich. Cresheld Thomas Pelham Thomas Parker John Leigh John Harris Walter Yong. Augustine Skinner John Ven. Wil. Strickland John Francklin Samuel Brown Robert Seawen Roger Hill John Button John Meyrick Ambrose Brown Richard Win. Edward Owner Charls Pim. Cha. Lo. Cranborn Benja Weston John Nutt John Corbet Roger Burgoyn Peter Temple Benja Valentine Tho. Walsingham Oliver Luke William Alenson Humph. Salwey Richard Moore William Ashurst Thomas Moore Thomas Fountain William Ellys Henry Shelley Rich. Shutleworth George Gallop Henry Ludlow Robert Wallop Arthur Hasilrig Oliver St. John Thomas Grantham Fran. Barnham Wil. L. Fitzwilliams Edmund Dunch Hen Mildmay Hugh Rogers Thomas Hatcher John Wray Simon D' Ewes Antho. Benningfield John Ash Wil. Lord Munsun Martin Lister Robert Goodwin Edward Thomas Henry Lucas Miles Corbet Philip Smith Cornelious Holland Wil. Spurstow Iohn Lowrey Peter Wentworth Henry Cholmley Phil. Stapleton Wil. Berrepoint Roger North Alexan. Popham Thomas Hodges Iohn Maynard Sam. Vassal Anthony Irby Iohn Clotworthy Iohn Broxolme Rich. Iervoise Iohn Blackistone Walter Long Iohn Rolle Robert Iennor Iohn Waddon Wil. Masham Iohn Lisle Edm. Fowel Edw. Ash Thomas Pury Rich. Whitehead Richard Iennings Humph. Tufton Thomas Dacres Toomas Erle Iohn Downes Iohn Goodwin Francis Drake Wil. Waller Samuel Luke Francis Buller Richard Harman George Buller Arthur Onslow Richard Winwood Robert Pye He. L. Grey of Ruthen Richard Knightley Iohn Pim. Christo Yelverton Anthony Nicoll Peter Wroth. Robert Reynolds Nath. Barnardiston Henry Heyman Wil Purefoy Valen. Walton Micha Oldsworth Wil. Wheeler Hall Ravenscroft Tho. L. Grey of Groby Tho. Midleton Edw. Hungerford Christo Wray Richard See Harbert Morley Thomas Lane Robert Cecill William Bell Thomas Soam Harbot Grimstone Simon Snow Iohn Nash Ralph Ashton Iohn Wilde Iohn Trenchard Tho. Iervoise Rich. Brown Wil. Playters Nat. Stephens Richard Rose Francis Rous. Gilb. Millington Iohn Brown Iohn Hâ—ppissey Edward Pool Henry Pelham William Hay Iohn Driden Nat. Fienes William Lewis Gyles Green William Litton Iohn Harvey Edward Douce William Stroad Edm. Prideaux Tho. Hoyl Edw. Exton Fran. Popham Zouch Tate Iohn Curson Alexan. Bence Iohn Glyn. Rich. Onslow Iohn Cook Tho. Lo. Wenman Bolstrode Whitlock Goe Mountague Edw. Partriche Henry Campion Wil. Whitaker Denzil Hollis Edw. Wingate Iames Fenys Poynings Moore Edw. Biss Junior Wil. Iephson Edw. Mountague Walt. Knatchboll Thomas Eden Two most remarkable and visible Examples of Gods wrath against Covenant Breakers and Despisers The One Divine the Other Humane both Observable 1. Josuah having made a League and Covenant with the Gibeonites notwithstanding they had craftily circumvented and deceived Josua therein which remained inviolable among the children of Israel till the dayes of King Saul who in his foolish Zeal had it seems slain some of the Gibeonites and endeavoured to have destroyed them all from among the Israelites Hereupon the wrath of the Lord was greatly incensed against Israel which brake not out til King Davids dayes who was sorely vexed with a fearful famine over the whole Land for at least 3 years together incessantly which so greatly grieved and troubled David that he enquired of the Lord what might be the cause thereof And the Lord answered him that it was for Sauls sake and for his bloudy-house because he had broken the Covenant and slain the Gibeonites and his wrath would not be appeazed till holy David in just revenge of this breach of Covenant had delivered up unto the Gibeonites as they by Gods wil had demanded 7 of Sauls Sons or nearest Kindred to be hanged by them as they were and then and not till then was God pacified and the famine immediatly ceased Josua 9. 2. Sam. 21. 2. Vladislaus King of Hungary and Amurath the great Emperour of Turkie after fierce wars between them having concluded a happy and Honourable peace for the said King of Hungary and they having entered into a solemn League and Truce by interchangeable writings sealed and delivered each to other not long after Julian a Cardinal of Rome having perswaded him to renounce and violate this Covenant and Peace the King of Hungary secretly prepared mighty forces suddainly to invade and set upon the Turks Territories and Amurath the great Turk at last hearing of this unexpected invasion by Vladislaus made mighty preparation presently to oppose him entred into a pitcht field against him in brief Amurath observing a mighty slaughter of his men and himself and his whole Army in great danger to be utterly discomfitted and beholding also in the Hungarian-displayed-baners the picture of a Crucifix he presently pluckt forth the writing out of his bosom wherein the late League or Covenant was comprised and holding it up in his hand with his eyes cast up to heaven he said these words Behold thou crucified Christ this is the League thy Christians in thy name made with me which they have without cause violated Now if thou be a God as they say thou art revenge the wrong now done unto thy name and unto me and shew thy power upon thy pernicious people who in their deeds deny thee their God presently after this the fight was fiercely followed on both sides but it pleased the Lord that Vladislaus was put to the worst and in the fight slain by one of the Turks Janizaries and his head cut off and presented to Amurath in the midst of the battel who commanded it to be set on the top of a lance and carryed up and down in the field to the terror of the Christians who presently fled and left Amurath total victor with a most mighty and lamentable slaughter of the Christians From both which most pregnant and eminent examples we may profitably make this pertinent use and applycation That if the Lord God hath so tender a respect to the exact performance of Leagues and Covenants made not only 'twixt Man and Man Christian and Christian but even between Christians and Turks or Infidels such as the Gibeonites and this Amurath were O how much more tenderly affected and severely exasperated wil he be for the breach of Covenants made betwixt his own glorious Holyness who is a Consuming fire and Wormling-Man who is but as Combustible-Stubble in his presence O consider this and lay it timely and sadly to heart O all ye Malignants and Schismaticks who now adayes dare so Audaciously and Maliciously scorn and contemn and so Hypocritically to violate and break This so Rational and Religious so holy and honest yea I say so pious and precious a Covenant most duly and deliberately taken heretofore by very many of you O whoever ye be and wheresoever ye sit and shroud your selves tremble yea tremble I say and be astonisht and confounded at your so treacherous and most audacious dealing with the most high God and us And for the same expect for certain Gods Word is my warrant you see for what I say and these 2 examples ratifie it expect I say the curse of God like a flying Roul even some suddain and sore plague or punishment inevitably to fall upon you or yours if not upon you and yours if ye timely and truly repent not which the Lord give unto you as space so grace to perform and do it Amen By JOHN VICARS LONDON Printed by John Macock for John Rothwel and Edward Husbands 1648.